h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Cooktown, Far North Queensland, Australia - A1339292
Author: Frenchbean - U236943

Here to be Peered at...

This has been another enjoyable entry to write. I know Cooktown well, but still remember the sense of wonder when I first arrived there.

Is it too heavy on the history?

Is there anything else you'd want to know about Cooktown?


F/b

I like it

Couple of questions:

What's a mangrove? That's probably really obvious to a lot of people, but a footnote explaining for thick sheep shaggers like me would be nice

>In 1886, the imposing brick-built St Marys Convent

St. Mary's? Or is it actually spelt like that?

?Runner Bean Trees, Strawberry Trees and Custard Apples

Err, what's a custard apple? Well, I know what one is in England, but I'm thinking puddings don't grow on trees, even in such a pleasant sounding place as this.

Apart from that, I'm looking forward to seeing it in the EG

Hi KerrAvon:

Thanks for having a look...

Mangroves are tropical swamp plants - they absolutely smother the intertidal areas at rivermouths - all over the world, not just Australia.

St Marys Convent was indeed spelled like that.

Runner Bean Trees: They are huge trees which have fruit that look like black runner beans. When you break them open, there are beans in there, surrounded by a creamy-coloured flesh. It's the flesh that you eat and it tastes like vanilla ice cream - honest.

Strawberry trees are another tropical specaility. Nothing much to say about them, except the fruit are small, round and red and taste nothing like strawberries, but are very sweet!

Custard Apples also from the tropics - and I don't really know how to describe the fruit, although I guess it looks like an apple (vaguely - and probably very similar if you'd been at sea for a year) and doesn't taste like apple at all - much sweeter.

I was trying to inject a bit of the exotic tropics into the entry. Do you think I should explain them - or give them their Latin names?


F/b

A little information I have about 'Mangrove' that is :

Its a tropical tree or shrub bearing fruit that germinates while still on the tree and having numerous prop roots that eventually form an impenetrable mass and are important in land building.....and so on..

Thanks.

yes, that seems interesting! Whats more about 'Cooktown'?

Thanks!

I like the inclusion, just little footnotes describing them would be good

boy, you were quick writing this entry, F/b.

Some small, nit-picky things:

'Cape York Peninsula1 This' - needs a full stop after the sentence.

There are a couple of unedited entries which you have linked to. You can't link to these - sorry. Even Gnomon's, although when it is edited, you will be able to. Maybe it is worth a note to the sub that it would be good to link to it as and when it gets edited.

Looks a good entry, F/b. Maybe a few too many headers for my taste, but that's just my opinion. Others may differ.

Hello all
I've just done some editing.

KerrAvon: I've added footnotes about all those trees, which I hope make sense. Thank you for the suggestion

ZSF: Thank you for nit-picking. I've amended punctuation and taken away some headers. You're right: once I re-read it, there were some which just didn't work, so I've amalgamated some sections.

I just had flu, and this was great therapy while I was convalescing after 5 days in bed I scribbled and dreamed of sunshine, warm seas, diving on the reef and generally kicking back. I'm sure it helped my recovery


F/b

I like the headers. What I can't stand is an entry that is just a bunch of headers with only one paragraph below it.

Anyway, this looks like a mighty fine entry to me Very well written.

Thank you Don Jodan


F/b

The entry looks a lot better now there are fewer headers, F/b = and I see you've taken out the unedited entries.

Looking good.

I hope you're now over the 'flu. I can see that thinking of pleasant hot places was good therapy!

Hi FrenchBean,

I read this and it looks good,

Like the style, personal and readable whilst adhering to the guidelines; . Can't speak for the content, since it was (almost) all new to me, but it looks as if you have covered the ground well.

so, cya'on the front page
spiff

Thanks Spiff. It's a great place to visit and I'm hoping that comes across.

Flu has gone now and I'm back at work


F/b

What a great geographical entry.

You really describe the place, its history and its various attractions very well!


- Jimi X

Thanks Jimi X


F/b

It looks like I'll have to congratulate myself on this being picked for the Edited Guide!!

I got an email at home, but nothing here

But never one to hide my light under a bushel (or a beer), I'll bring it to all your attentions. I'm not fibbing, honest (see Thro' the Doughnut Hole this week and you'll know I'm not).

Thank you whichever Scout liked the entry enough....


F/b

Yeah... they've lost the congrats messages

But I'm the scout I should've given you the message, but... well I wasn't here

Thank you Jodan!

I'll stop sulking now. You are forgiven

Getting an entry recommended inspires me to get to grips with the work in progress. Look out for Samoa next...


F/b

Nice one, !

This is a great 'hometown' addition to the EG!

cya
spiff

YAY, well done, F/b!